Posted by psap on 4/23/2013 9:26:00 AM (view original):Of course if you want to look at it from the good side -- just watch Barcelona today -- likely the best team to ever play the game, and the best player to play the game.

Over half their talent is home grown - they don't have to go into the transfer market like other teams. Players demand to come there.
They just accomplished an incredible feat -- 300 straight games with more time of possession than their opponents - that is a sick stat for anyone who has ever played or appreciates this game.
Oh, and they are the only team in the world that doesn't sell the rights to their jerseys. Certainly one of the top 3 most valuable jersey ad opportunities -- but they give that space away on their jersey every year to a charity.

If you want to find the bad in any sport, profession, or govt it is there for the finding. But there is also lots of great stuff going on that should be appreciated. If you've never watched soccer than this Barcelona team is the team to watch, and the Champions League are the games to watch (they essentially are the post-season).

You are making my point - Barcelona is a GREAT team - the 1927 Yankees type of talent grouping. However, who's going to watch Wiggan v Norwich City? The only way the NFL gets by putting out the Raiders versus Lions in December is that lure of illegal gambling that drives ratings/ad revenue. America does not have an affinity to bet on European football.

Hey, lay off Norwich! They play a very up tempo 4-3-3 and were the first Welsh team to earn a spot in the premiership. And when Cardiff City comes up next year, their derby is going to be one of the better games of the year.

And illegal gambling is so much bigger in soccer than any other sport. To the point where matches are thrown all over the world.

Challenge #11 PicksThe predictions are in parenthesis. Any bid with parenthesis is in play tonight. BCS was more aggressive with their bids, but will it pay off?

Game

Tribe BCS

Pts

Tribe Mid-Major

Pts

NBA: Bucks vs. Heat

pureh21

sjurat

Margin of Victory (12)

within 3 (13)

1/2

within 3 (15)

1/2

James & Wade: Combined Points (40)

within 4 (48)

0

within 7

1

Bucks: Free-Throw Percentage (58.8)

within 3 (73)

0

within 3 (74)

0

NBA: Celtics vs. Knicks

caesari

psap

C.Anthony: Points (34)

within 3 (33)

1

within 4

0

Total Combined: 3-Point Attempts (38)

within 3 (43)

0

within 6

1

Total Combined: First Half Points (90)

within 6

1

within 4 (95)

0

NHL: Jets vs. Capitals

da_goat

ahrens

Total Combined: Penalty Minutes (28)

within 3 (23)

0

within 7

1

Total Combined: Assists (12)

within 2 (7)

0

within 3

1

Capitals: Shots on Goal (41)

within 3 (26)

0

within 4

1

NHL: Kings vs. Wild

shlog3131

polabonez

Total Combined: Power Play Percentage (0)

within 3 (21)

0

within 12

1

Total Combined: Hits (41)

within 3 (22)

0

within 7

1

Kings: Saves for Starting Goalie (23)

within 4 (26)

1

within 5

0

MLB: Blue Jays vs. Orioles

phillyboy107

mb625

Blue Jays: Batters Faced for Starting Pitcher (27)

within 3 (37)

0

within 5

1

Total Combined: Hits (12)

within 2 (13)

1

within 4

0

Orioles: Combined Total Bases for RF, CF, LF, DH (2)

within 3 (8)

0

within 5

1

MLB: Dodgers vs. Mets

kneeneighbor

tsut30

Total Combined: Pitching Strikeouts (17)

within 3 (14)

1/2

within 3 (14)

1/2

Mets: RISP Percentage (50)

within 5 (25)

0

within 5 (30)

0

Total Combined: Runs (9)

within 3

1

within 1 (5)

0

BCS Total Points:

6

Mid-Major Total Points:

10

Quick Reminder About Tie Bids:

If both players make the same "within" bid, then both players will play their prediction. If both are within the correct range, then both will receive ½ point. If only one player is within the correct range, then that player will receive the full point.

Also, in regards to that whole "Who's going to watch Wigan/Norwich?" Soccer is the only sport in which the bottom teams are the games to watch at the end of the season. The way it's shaping up right now, Wigan and Villa on the 19th could be to decide who stays up in the EPL and who goes down to the NPower Championship. Truly exciting stuff that you don't get from any other professional sport.